Systems, devices, and methods for a firearm suppressor assembly

ABSTRACT

The disclosure generally relates to systems, devices, and methods for sound suppression for firearms. In various embodiments, the firearm suppressor can include a barrel system of a predetermined length to prevent supersonic projectile (e.g., bullet) speed. Further, the firearm suppressor can include a plurality of chambers that can substantially contain the gases released from a projectile and thereby reduce the sound generated by the expansion of the gases release upon firing the projectile.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally relates to reducing the sound resulting fromthe discharge of firearms.

BACKGROUND

Firearm components and accessories may be attached or be part of abarrel of a firearm, such as a handgun. One such firearm component caninclude a suppressor assembly. Suppressor assemblies can be configuredto compensate for the various effects of firing a projectile (such as abullet) from a firearm. For example, muzzle blast is the loud noise thatgenerally accompanies the discharge of a firearm. The muzzle blast candamage the ears of the operator or nearby individuals not wearing earprotection and can bring unwanted attention in instances of covert use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar oridentical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/orcomponents other than those illustrated in the drawings, and someelements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments.Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn toscale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singularand plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIGS. 1A-1D depicts an example diagram showing various aspects of thedesign of the suppressor assembly in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure generally relates to suppressor assemblies for firearms.This disclosure can, in various applications, aid an operator in thepursuit of game for hunting, or in more general application in militaryactions.

Further, this disclosure describes systems and methods of achievingquiet, light, and reliable firearm operation. In one embodiment, thesystems and methods can be used in connection with, but not limited to,firearms having a 0.22 caliber ammunition and the firearms can be arimefire type (e.g., relating to or denoting guns whose cartridges havethe primer around the edge of the base) of firearm. However, fordifferent types of ammunition and types of firearms, various parametersdisclosed herein, including, but not limited to, the length and twist ofthe suppressor assembly's barrel system can be modified accordingly toachieve the same effects described in this disclosure.

One component of the sound resulting from the firing of firearms (forexample, 0.22 report firearms) is a sonic crack (that results from theprojectile piercing the sound barrier). This sonic crack in itself maycause firearm accuracy issues, for example, as 0.22 caliber firearms mayfire projectiles that can be more trans-sonic than supersonic. Forexample, the projectiles may move above and below the sound barrierwithin a much shorter distance than other rounds. The transition aboveand below the sound barrier can cause stability issues for theprojectile, thus reducing the accuracy of the firearm as well as a sharpreport when the barrier is broken.

FIG. 1A shows a diagram of a side view of the barrel assembly 100 inaccordance with example embodiments of the systems and methods disclosedherein. In one embodiment, the design can feature a projectile path thatkeeps the projectile subsonic before it leaves the barrel of thefirearm. In another embodiment, high-velocity (e.g., super-sonic)ammunition can be made sub-sonic (below the speed of sound,approximately 1125 fps) by limiting the barrel or rifling length 105 toa predetermined amount, for example, approximately 3.8 inches long for a0.22 caliber firearm. By limiting the barrel or rifling length, a powdercharge associated with the projectile may not have enough time to burnand build pressure. This, therefore, may not allow the projectile toreach its highest potential velocity. The short rifling 105 can beperformed by machining the internal rifling of the existing barrel tothe predetermined length. Further, the internal rifling can be designedto have a larger diameter bore 110 to give the projectile a clear,impact-less path through the remainder of the barrel and baffle systemof the disclosed suppressor assembly. The example embodiments disclosedhave a barrel length and twist used for 0.22 caliber ammunition.However, for different types of ammunition the length and twist can bemodified accordingly to achieve the same effects described in thisdisclosure.

FIG. 1B shows the barrel assembly 100 with atop/bottom view of a bafflesystem 120. As can be seen in FIG. 1B, a high temperature O-ring groove115 can be used for the prevention of gas release from the disclosedsuppression assembly including the baffle system.

Another embodiment of this disclosure describes sound suppression, inaddition to controlling the velocity of the projectile described above.While there is, at present, a dearth of information and data on airflowdynamics in firearm suppression system, one route of improving thedesign of the systems and methods disclosed herein can be performedthrough trial and error and the use of fluid dynamic principles.

In a suppression device one goal can be to reduce the audible SoundPressure Level (SPL) rating for the firearm. Using fluid dynamicsprinciples dictates that by reducing the air pressure within a confinedspace, in a linear fashion, the audible SPL can be reduced to yield thea laminar pressure reduction over a given volume.

FIG. 1C shows a side view of the barrel assembly 100, specificallyshowing a second portion comprising a plurality of chambers 135 forsound reduction. In one embodiment, by using the multiple chambers 135having a linear reduction of volume 125, the air pressure can be reducedand therefore the audible tone of a shot being fired can be reduced.Further, the effect on the projectile motion can be minimized toacceptable tolerances. Further, by having multiple chambers 135 thepressure differential in any one chamber 135 may not equal the totalpressure of the system. This can confer further properties, in multipleareas including, but not limited to: allowing for the use of thinnermaterials; reducing the weight by using aforementioned thinnermaterials; providing a linear pressure stabilization throughout thecontained suppression system; minimally effecting projectile (e.g.,ammunition) stability or effective velocity.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the suppressor assembly can be in contactwith the baffle system previously described 120, and the barrel can bemachined from a single stock. Additionally, the diameter of the barrelcan be reduced to allow for integration with an outer sleeve 150.Moreover, at the distal end of the barrel a threaded end 140 can beprovided for a titanium alloy sleeve retainment cap 160.

FIG. 1D shows a side view of the second portion of the suppressorassembly as shown in FIG. 1C with outer sleeve 150 slid overwith thebaffle system to form an integrated suppressor within barrel assembly100, and sleeve retention cap 160 threaded on to threaded end 140 at thedistal end of the barrel.

In one embodiment, the overall design can be designed such that thesuppression system is easily customer serviceable. In one exampleembodiment, the system may comprise: a barrel with suppression bafflechambers 135 machined throughout approximately 80% of its length; atitanium alloy sleeve 150 that slides over baffles; an end cap 160 forsleeve retention; and a high-temperature O-ring 115 for gas expansionprevention.

Subsonic ammo can be used to provide hearing-safe firearms; however,subsonic ammo generally has a higher cost. Using the disclosed systemand methods, hearing-safe shooting is no longer dependent on havingsubsonic ammunition, but rather, can use super-sonic ammunition.

In one example embodiment, the disclosed systems and methods can be usedin connection with a semiautomatic 0.22 LR platform, for example, with a0.22 LR autoloader, such as the Ruger® 10/22™. For example, a firearmmade using the disclosed systems and methods can comprise an integralsuppressor for use in connection with this example firearm. Thedisclosed systems and methods can be used to reliably maintain thevelocity of standard, high-velocity ammunition sub-sonic. In addition tothe decibel reduction, firearms discharged using the disclosed systemsand methods can further result in a lower-tone sound than comparablefirearms and/or suppressors available on the market. Firearms thatimplement the disclosed systems and methods may also not need to bedisassembled in order to be cleaned, for example, as do firearms havingtraditional rimfire suppressors. Instead, rotating the titanium sleeve150 can clean-off any buildup. Thus firearms that implement thedisclosed systems and methods can be fired thousands of times withoutrequiring disassembly.

A firearm made using the disclosed systems and methods can feature astraightforward design composing three parts. The disclosed systems andmethods do not require additional tools to remove outer tube. This canresult in a drastic reduction in weight over the factory barrel. Thedesign can maintain the velocity of high velocity (over 1200 fps) bulkpack ammunition subsonic. Further, the disclosed embodiments cancomprise a direct barrel replacement for a 10/22™ firearm, with littleor no machining or modification required. (Though, in some cases, it maynecessitate the use of a stock that will accommodate an approximately0.920″ diameter barrel).

Further, in one example embodiment, the specifications of a firearmdesigned using the disclosed systems and methods can include: a caliberof 0.22 LR length of approximately 16.5″; a diameter of approximately0.920″; a weight of approximately 18 oz. Moreover, the firearm may befully automatic. Further, the firearm may have a rifling ofapproximately 1:16″ and can have a 12 land 12 groove. Moreover thebarrel can have a 1:16 twist and further, a 12 land and groove microtwist barrel.

In example embodiments of this disclosure, in terms of materials, thebarrel and core of a firearm made using the disclosed systems andmethods can include 416 stainless steel; further, the sleeve 150 cancomprise grade 9 titanium; moreover, the endcap 160 can include grade 5titanium.

The example embodiments disclosed have a barrel length and twist usedfor 0.22 caliber ammunition. However, for different types of ammunitionthe length and twist can be modified accordingly to achieve the samesound suppressing effects.

Although specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described,numerous other modifications and alternative embodiments are within thescope of the disclosure. For example, any of the functionality describedwith respect to a particular device or component may be performed byanother device or component. Further, while specific devicecharacteristics have been described, embodiments of the disclosure mayrelate to numerous other device characteristics. Further, althoughembodiments have been described in language specific to structuralfeatures and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that thedisclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actsdescribed. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed asillustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. Conditionallanguage, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,”unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include,certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elements,and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.

1. A firearm barrel comprising a first, second, and third portion,wherein: the first portion comprises a longitudinal bore of apredetermined length suitable to prevent supersonic projectile speed;the second portion comprises a plurality of longitudinal chambersaligned with the longitudinal bore of the first portion; and the thirdportion comprises a tubular sleeve configured to slide over the secondportion and substantially enclose the second portion.
 2. The firearmbarrel of claim 1, wherein further, the second portion comprises a firstend proximate to the first portion and a second end distal to the firstportion of the firearm barrel.
 3. The firearm barrel of claim 2, whereinthe plurality of longitudinal chambers increases in size from the firstend to the second end of the firearm barrel.
 4. The firearm barrel ofclaim 2, wherein the longitudinal bore of the first portion is about 4inches in diameter.
 5. The firearm barrel of claim 1, wherein the firstportion comprises a predetermined twist.
 6. The firearm barrel of claim5, wherein the predetermined twist is a 1:16 twist.
 7. The firearmbarrel of claim 5, wherein the predetermined twist comprises a land andgroove micro-twist.
 8. The firearm barrel of claim 2, wherein thetubular sleeve comprises a titanium alloy.
 9. The firearm barrel ofclaim 2, wherein the distal end of the second portion comprises athreaded end.
 10. The firearm barrel of claim 9, wherein the thirdportion further comprises a separate sleeve retainment cap threaded onto the threaded end.
 11. The firearm barrel of claim 10, wherein thesleeve retainment cap comprises a titanium alloy.